Automatic regulator for artificial-silk machines



G. .IUER.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ARTIFICIAL SILK MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I0, 1920.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS,

G. JUER.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ARTIFlCIAL SILK MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED JULY I0, 1920.

14,407,2 0, 7 I Patented Feb.21,1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR.

i v i h I U 2 t I I t A TTORNEYS spinning machines.

GEORGE JUER, 'OEPHILA'DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANTA.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ARTIFICIAL-SILK MACHINES.

Application filed July 1-0,

I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE J UER, a citizen of Hungary, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Regulators for Artificial-Silk Machines, of which the following is a full, clear and exact description.

It is known that in the manufacture of artificial silk, solutions of nit-ro-cellulose. in its solvents (collodium, viscose a. s. o.) are forced by pressure through capillaries or other small openings. The thread thus obtained is wound on a spool kept in rotation by the-shaft of the spinning machine. The pressure is usually obtained. by a hydraulic press, and by means of an accumulator the pressure can either bemaintained constant or changed. The size of the thread obtained is dependent on the viscosity of the nitro-cellulose solution, the pressure, and the speed of the shaft of the spinning machine. It is known from experience that the viscosity of said nitro-cellulose solutions vary between wide ranges without being known in advance. On account of these conditions the size of the thread varies.

For instance, with constant pressure and thicker solution little product is pressed. out and as the speed of the spinning machine remains the same, the thread is subject to tension and becomes thinner. If however the nit-ro-cellulose solution becomes thinner, more comes out at constant pressure from the capillaries and the speed of the spinning machine remaining the same. a thicker thread results. It is therefore clearly understood that a regular size can only be obtained if the pressure is always adapted to the viscosity prevailing.

Up to date the pressure was empirically changed until the desired size of thread was obtained. As, however, the result of the modified pressure can only be seen after examination of the thread. much time is lost and only a small part of the production is of the size desired.

By the present invention the usual unreliable experimenting becomes unneccessary, because the pressure is automatically in- (reased or decreased according to a constant ratio determined in advance between the solution, the speed and the number of This result is obtained by providing a regulator between the hy- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

1920. Serial No. 395,358.

dra-ulic accumulator and the shaft of the 2 are elevations of complementary sections thereof.

The plunger A of the hydraulic press B which as is known, has only very little speed acts by means of an arm a thereof which is connected to a chain 1 connected to I drive the shaft '2 and by means of a countershaft 3 and a corresponding transmission drives the shaft 4. The latter is connected through the differential gear device 5 and' the variable speed cone drive? with the shaft 6 from which the spinning'machines are driven by an independent source of power, not shown. The intermediate rotary element of the differential gear device acts upon the centrifugal regulators 9 and 10 and by the automatic double ratchet device or coupling 8 the regulators 9 and 10 open or close the valves 11 and 12 leading to the'accuinulators. The coupling 8 may be a double oppositely acting ratchet device which may conveniently comprise a central double-faced clutch member whichis keyed tothe shaft for sliding movement thereon but by means of the key'always rotated by the shaft in one direct-ion or the other. The two gears 8 and 8 at opposite sides of the central clutch member are loose on the shaft and have clutch faces co-operating with those of the central member. rotated in one direction by the differential it drives the gearing leading to valve governor 9 by the clutching of the central memher to the gear 8*. in the oppositedirection the reaction be tween the clutch faces of the gear 8 and the central member cams the central member toward the gear 8 moving the pwoted arm. 8, which is connected to the central mem-.

her with a fork and groove or similar conlVhen the shaft is driven v When the shaft is nection, until the weight 8 upon the end of the arm 8 passes a vertical line where-upon gravity will shift the arm 8 further toward the gear 8 and carry with it the central member to cause it to clutch with and rotate the gear 8 and be entirely disconnected from the gear 8*. The rotation of the gear 8 causes operation of valve governor 10. If the shaft is operated again in the first direction, the clutch faces between the central member and the gear 8 will cam the central member toward the gear 8 until the weight 8' and the arm 8 are shifted past the vertical position whereupon the weight and arm will complete the movement to clutch the central member to gear 8 and completely disconnect it from gear 8*.

Rotation of the valve governor or celltrifugal device 9 will cause the slidable element 9 thereof to move along its shaft and shift a lever 9 to operate the valve 11. The valve 12 is operated-by lever 10 and slidable element 10 of the centrifugal device or governor 10. The valves 11 and 12 are of the balanced double port type making them very easy to open and close and also providing large port areas.

The valves are connected together by a T- pipe 13, the other branch 1 of which is connected to the accumulator C. A pipe 15 connecting with valve 11 admits water to the accumulator when valve 11 is open and a pipe 16 leading from valve 12 discharges water from the pipe 14: and accumulator when valve 12 is open. A pump P connects with the accumulator to normally supply the pressure necessaryto operate the presses, a pipe 1? connecting the accumulator and presses for this purpose.

The valve 18 by which the solution to be spun leaves the press is operated by a handle 19. An extension or rod 20 of each valve 18 has a pair of arms 21 on. its upper end with pins 22 in the ends of the arms that engage in an annular groove 23 ofa sliding clutch element 21 that is keyed to the shaft 2. The chains 1 that are operated by the plunger of the press engage with and rotate clutch elements 25 rotatably and non-slidably carried by the shaft 2. Thus whenever a valve 18 is opened by handle 19 to supply the spinning machines, the clutch element 2% will be concomitantly shifted into engagement with the clutch element 25 and the plunger ofv the press will be connected to the shaft 2 to operate the same. Vhen the plunger of a' press is moving upwardly to fill its cylinder, the valve 18 of that press is of course in closed position and the chain of that press is unclutched from the shaft 2. In practice two presses are used, the cylinder of one being filled while the other is pressing out its contents, and therefore the press plungers are alternately clutched to the shaft 2.

The variable speed device 7 which is interposed between the shaft 6 and the differential gear device may be of any suitable construction and is operable to vary its transmission ratio through a chain or operating element 26.

In operation, if the shaft &, kept in revolution by the compressor plunger, and the shaft 6, driving the spinning machines have the correctspeed ratio in relation to each other, but are of-opposite direction, the differential gear remains stationary and valves 11 and 12 are closed. If, however, the compressor plunger moves slower than previously determined by the variable speed drive T the intermediate element of the differential gear device rotates and through the coupling 8 causes the fly ball governor or centrifugal device 9 to open the valve 1].. The admission of more water toand consequently an increase in pressure in the accumulator causes an increase of speed of the press plunger which continues until both sides of the differential gear device have the same and opposite speed again. If, however, the pressure on the press-plunger is too high. in other words. if the ratio of the speed of the shaft 4 to that of shaft 6 is higher than previously determined bv the variable speed drive 7 then the intermediate element of the differential gear device 5 will rotate in an opposite direction, causing the coupling 8 to operate the fly ball governor or centrifugal device 10 which in turnv opens the valve 12 permitting enough water to leave the accumulator to reduce the pressure and thus retard the press plunger. The retardation continues until both sides of the differential gear device again have the same speed.

The centrifugal device causes an opening of the valves to an amount proportional to the difference in speed of the two end elements of the differential gear mechanism; and the valves always close as soon as the end elements have the same speed. If the centrifugal operating means were not pron'ded as the valve operating means. the valves might be left in open positions by a stopping of the intermediate element of the differential gear mechanism when the speed of the end elements became equal.

I claim 1. A pressure regulating device comprising a press having a part moving with the movable pressing element, a shaft and connections therefrom to the said part whereby the shaft will be rotated at a rate proportional to speed of the pressing element, a second shaft and connections therefrom to a spinning machine whereby this shaft will be rotated at a rate proportional to the speed of the spinning machine, and means interposed between the said shafts operative when their speed ratio varies from a given value to accelerate or retard the operation of the press and restore the said ratio value between the shafts.

:2, A pressure regulating device compri speed of the spinning machine, a differential gear device, connections between the end elements of the gear device and the shafts, and means connected to the intermediate element of the gear device for operation thereby to accelerate or retard the operation of the press and maintain the ratio of relative speeds of the shafts at a given value.

3. A pressure regulating device comprising a press, a spinnin machine, a differential gear device havmg two. rotary endelements and an intermediate rotary element, a connection from one end element of the gear device to the spinning machine, a con.- nection from the other end elementto the moving member of the .press, and means connected to the'intermediate element for operation thereby when the rate of speed of the end elements is unequal to control the operating pressure of the press and accelerate or retard it until the end elements again move at equal speeds.

4. A pressure regulating device comprising a press, a spinning machine, a differential gear device having two rotary end elements and an intermediate rotary element, a connection from one end element of the gear device of the spinning machine, a connection from the other end element-to the moving member'of the press, a liquidaccumulator for controlling the pressure supplied to the press, and means operated by the intermediate element of the differential gear device when the speed of the end elements becomes unequal for admitting liquid to or discharging it from the accumulator whereby the speed of the press is accelerated or retarded until the speed of the end elements again becomes equal.

5. A pressure regulating device comprising a press, a spinning machine, a differential gear device having two rotary end elements and an intermediate rotary element, :1 connection from one end element of the gear device to the spinning machine, a connection from the other end element to the moving member of the press, a water accumulator for controlling the pressure supplied to the press, a valve device. for admitting water to or. allowing it to escape from the accumulator whereby the speed of the press is, varied, connecting means between the valve device and the intermediate element of the differential gear device whereby the latters operation in one direction or the other upon a variation in speed of the end elements will operate the valve device to vary the effective pressure upon the press and accelerate or retard its operation until the speed of the end elements again becomes equa I 6. A pressure regulating device comprising a press, a spinning machine, a differential gear device having two rotary end elements and an intermediate rotary element,

a connection from one end element of the gear device to the spinning machine, a connection from the other end element to the moving member, of the press, and centrifu-' gally operated means driven by the intermediate element when the rate of speed of the end elements becomes unequal for controlling the operating pressure of the press to accelerate or retard it an amountproportional to the inequality in the relative speeds of the end elements until they again rotate at equalspeeds. v

7. A pressure regulating device comprising, a press, a spinning machine, a difi'erential gear device having two rotary end elements and an intermediate rotary element, a connection from one end element of'the gear device to the spinning machine, a connection from the other end element to the moving member of the press, a liquid accumulator for controlling the pressure supplied to the press, centrifugally operated means driven by the intermediate element when the rate of speedof the end elementsbecomes unequal for controlling the admission to or re lease from the accumulator of the liquid whereby the speed of the press is accelerated or retarded an amount proportional to the inequality in the relative speeds of the end elements until they again rotate at equal speeds. I

8. A pressure regulating device comprising "a press for supplying under pressure a solution to be spun, a spinning machine, a pair of shafts, one connected for rotation. by the spinning machine, and the other connected for rotation by the press, means for varying the speed of the press, connected to both of the shafts whereby any variation in a given'ratio of the relative speeds 'ofthe shafts will cause an acceleration or retardation of the press until the relative speeds of the shafts again have the givenratio, and adjustable means interposed between the speed varying means for the press and one of the shafts for varying the given ratio of relative speeds at "which the press speed varying means will be inactive.

9. A pressure regulating device compris- I control the speed of the press and connected to said shaftsfor operation whereby any variation in a given ratio of the relative speeds of the shafts will cause an acceleration or retardation of the press proportional to the difference between the actual ratio and the given ratio until the relative speeds of the shafts again have the given ratio, and adjustable means interposed between the speed controlling means and one of the shafts for varying the given ratio of relative speeds .at which the speed controlling means is inactive. 1

10. A pressure regulating device comprising a press for supplying under pressure a solution to be spun, a spinning machine, a

differential mechanism connected for operation by the press and themachine, a double ratchet device driven by the intermediate element of the mechanism whenever the speed of the end elements becomes unequal and in a direction dependent ,upon which end element falls in rate of rotation, said ratchet device having a part rotated with the intermediate element when the rotation is in one direction and another part rotated with the intermediate element when the rotation is in one direction and another part rotated with the intermediate element when the rotation is in the opposite direction, an accumulator for regulating the operating pressure of the press, a valve controlling the admission of a liquid to the accumulator to increase the pressure, a second valve controlling the discharge of liquid from the accumulator to lower the pressure, a centrifugal device connected between one valve and a part of the, ratchet device whereby upon rotation of the latter the valve will be opened an amount proportional to the rate of rotation of that ,part,'and a centrifugal device connected between the other valve and the other part of the ratchet device whereby upon rotation of the latter its associated valve will be opened an amount proportional to the rate of rotation of that part.

11. A pressure regulating device comprising a press for supplying under pressure a solution to be spun, a-spinning machine, a

diflerential mechanism connected for operation by the press and the machine, a double an amount proportional to the rate of rotation of that part, a centrifugal device connected between the other valve and the other part of the ratchet device whereby upon rotation of the latter its associated valve will be opened an amount proportional to the rate of rotation of that part, and adjustable means interposed in the connection between one side of the differential mechanism and the press or machine to which it is connected for varying the ratio of speed between the machine and press at which the intermediate element of the differential mechanism will be inactive and both valves in closed position.

12. A pressure regulating device comprising a press for supplying under pressure a solution to be spun, a spinning machine, means including an accumulator for controlling the rate of operation of the press, and a device controlled jointly by the spinning machine and press for varying the effect of the accumulator upon the rate of operation of the press. 4

13. A pressure regulating device comprising a press for supplying under pressure a solution to be spun. a spinning machine, means including an accumulator for controlling the rate of operation of the press, a device controlled jointly by the spinning machine and press for varying the efi'ect ofv the accumulator upon the rate of operation of the press, and means interposed between the device and the press or machine for varying the relative ratio of speed of press and machine at which the device will' 'be ineffective in varying the effect of the accumulator.

of rate of operation of press and machine and that of a given desired ratio.

15. A pressure regulating device comprising a press for supplying under pressure a solution to be spun, aspinning machine, means including an accumulator for controlling the rate of operation of the press, a device including centrifugal mechanism controlled jointly by the spinning machine and press for varying the effect of the accumufor varying the relative ratio of speed of 'lator upon the rate of operationof the press press and machine at which the device will by an amount proportional to the difference be ineffective in varying the effect of the 10 between the actual relative ratio of rate of accumulator.

5 operation of press and machine and that of In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe a given desired ratio, and means interposed my signature. between the device and the press or machine GEORGE J 

